Chingay (Balancing Giant Flags)

What is "Chingay"

In Chinese dialect Hokkien "Chin Yi" or "Chin Gay" which means real art or true art.

This real art or true art is skillfully displayed by using the flag pole (Bamboo pole) and the flag pole ranges from 25 ft to 32 ft, the length of the flag is around 25ft, made from silk and the total weight of these materials is around 60 pounds.

Chingay procession was held in celebration with the birthdays of the Chinese deities or the procession of the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin), its purpose was to worship and enjoy the deity.

The Chingay Procession were started about 100 years ago with 1st parade in 1919 in "Penang"

Chingay Procession

The acrobatic acts of carrying bamboo pole

The "Chingay" is a spectacular procession. The Bamboo pole carried perpendicularly by a steward bearer or performers with half-a-dozen others taking turn. The steward bearer/performers will normally balance huge poles with enormous triangular flags, on their forehands,chin,lower jaws and shoulders.

During each parade procession, the streets become a sea of colors and motions as multi-colored triangle-shaped flags billow in the breeze.

Great skills is required to balance this fluttering flag. A skilled chingay man must be very fit as chingay requires the mighty strength of brawny biceps and incredible supple limbs as well as powers of physical co-ordination and lightning reflexes.

A strip of transparent silk steaming from the top of the bamboo down to the ground enhances its gracefulness, and this silk trails as far behind as 35 feet. Therefore, a chingay man besides performing stunts, must not let this soft material drapes itself around and entangles the performers. Also, if the flagpole seems like falling at any time, the other team members will move in to prevent it from crashing on to the onlookers and spectators or objects which may be in its path.

When the stalwart chingay bearer of the moment is tired, his colleaques or buddies will relieve him of the heavy weight of the flag and resuming the procession without a halt. It takes great strength to master the intricacies of supporting the flagpole and holding it aloft for all to see and admire.

There are also different performers accompanying the chingay participants. And these include wildly animated lion dancers, fan-waving clowns and girls trick cyclists. A band of musician playing chinese instruments help to enhance further its spectators.

Collection of Photos of "Chingay"

Great skill is required to balance this fluttering flag. A skilled chingay man must be very fit as chingay requires the mighty strength of brawny biceps and incredibly supple limbs as well as powers of physical co-ordination and lightning reflexes.

Performance Skills by "Chingay Man"

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Chingay Performance YouTube vids

(24/2/2007) Chingay performance 7

Giant flags

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Different Angle of Balancing The Flag Pole By Albert Yap

Link List to "Chingay Connection

Want to find out more about "chingay"? check this out

Penang Chingay Association: This organization has been in Penang for over 100 years. In 1999, Penang Pesta Festivals Chingay & Lion Dance Sub-committee in conjunction with the annual ...
Brief History | Penang Chingay Association: 40 years ago, a group of Chinese community leaders who were also enthusiasts in the Chinese cultural arts, they were in the pursuit of ensuring the ...
More About the Chingay Performance | Penang Chingay Association: The selection of flag pole is very important, it has to go through special handling to suit the requirements of the Chingay players, they are not to be ...
Chingay 2006: The main elements included giant triangular flags and lanterns, which were the trademarks of Penang's Chingay "The Giant Flags Procession". ...
Chingay 2007: The main elements included giant triangular flags and lanterns, which were the trademarks of Penang 's Chingay "The Giant Flags Procession". ...
YouTube - Penang Chingay 2005: This is chingay festival at Penang street in Penang during my visit at end of 2005. An Indian cultural dance + a chinese dragon dance.
Geopark Carnival: 5.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m., Penang Chingay Performance at Dataran Lang. 9.00 a.m. - 11.00 p.m., Wayang Kulit Sri Asun at Dataran Lang. Saturday 31st March ...
As I See It: This is part of Penang's famous Chingay flagpole balancing act. I watched with interest as the members of Penang Chingay Association, attempted really ...
Chingay 2007 in Singapore: Penang also holds an annual Chingay Parade; this year, however, the parade has been cancelled because of the December 26 tsunami. Chingay may have started ...
Chingay: The Chingay Parade is an annual street parade held in Penang as part of Chinese New Year festivities, but it's also held in Johor Bahru (2006). ...
Culture of Penang: Information from Answers.com: Chingay is a Penang festival which is held every year as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations and also during the birthdays of Chinese deities. ...
Chingay: The Chingay procession in Asia had been practised amongst the Straits-born Chinese in Penang since the 19th century. It involved the balancing of a giant ...
Tourism Malaysia : About Us : Culture and Heritage : Games & Past ...: Famously from the state of Penang, Chingay or The Giant Flags Procession is a spectacular procession that celebrates the arrival of spring during the New ...
Little Penang: Press 11: Penang Chingay Council secretary Bong Kui Chin said, "More than 10 Chingay teams are taking turns to display their skills here each week. ...
simply-guide-singapore: A night to remember Chingay parade: Correct me if I wrong, base on the history Chingay parade is dated as early back in the 19th century from a competition held in Penang . ...
Vibrant Chingay parade: The top three Chingay teams from Sungai Pinang, Sungai Dua and Penang Chingay Association won RM1,200, RM800 and RM500, respectively. ...
Showintale Journeys: Chingay: It appears that Chingay parades were born in Penang, Malaysia, and spread throughout the region. Singapore's annual parade is now held on Orchard Road ...
The Nation: Culture: Art: Dance: Chingay is another cultural activity still practiced in Penang. It is more an acrobatic performance rather than a dance. It is usually performed by men who ...

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Penang Chingay Procession

Chingay Parade Wikipedia

Category: File - :Chingay 05 screenshot 01.jpg|thumb|right|180px|A Chingay Parade performer

The Chingay Parade () is an annual street parade held in Singapore as part of Chinese New Year festivities. The term Chingay itself originated in Southeast Asia, particularly in Penang, Malaysia, which is a phonetic equivalent of the Chinese words "??", which means "a decorated miniature stage" or float. Today, the parade has evolved into a massive multi-cultural and international event telecast live on television every year.

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